AS/A Level GCE (for first teaching in 2008) English Literature - H071 H471

FAQs

Please find below the most frequently asked questions for this qualification. If you have a question that is not answered here or elsewhere on the website please contact the OCR Customer Contact Centre.

Your regional Customer Support Manager is on hand to provide continued support, advice and guidance on what is happening with A Levels from an OCR prospective. This can include, an overview of our assessment approach or signposting to support and training to help you progress with our new A levels. To arrange a support call or visit, please email 14-19alevels@ocr.org.uk.

A. The QCA subject criteria requires that candidates study 12 texts during the course of a full A Level.

A. There is a balance between set texts on the examined units and more freedom of choice on the coursework units. You can choose your own texts for the coursework units, or if you wish use the suggestions provided in the coursework guidance document.

A. OCR offers a Coursework Consultancy Service, which means that you can check your selections and topics with experienced examiners before starting teaching. If you would rather, you can follow the suggestions for texts and topics provided in the Coursework Guidance document.

A. In some instances. There have been changes to the set text list in line with the new QCA subject criteria and centre feedback. Set texts lists are provided for the 2 examined units. If you wish, you can chose your own texts for study in the coursework units, which providing they meet the unit requirements, may allow you to continue to teach texts that don't appear elsewhere in the specification. Please refer to the full specification for a list of set texts for the examined units.

A. Yes. Coursework requirements reflect the QCA subject criteria. Coursework is compulsory at AS (40% AS, 20% A Level) and at A2 (20%).

A. Coursework Guidance documents for the AS and A2 coursework units are available with other support materials on the GCE English Literature section of the website.

A. In line with centre feedback the OCR specification groups texts and divides units by time periods. These periods are set out by QCA in the subject criteria as:

  • 1300-1800
  • Shakespeare
  • 1800-1945
  • post-1990

A. In unit F661, Section B: Prose, study of the chosen text must be complemented by study of a literary-critical text, such as the ones recommended on page 12 of the specification.
It is acceptable for candidates to study extracts from one or more texts, rather than studying one text in its entirety. Study of the 'complementary' text will not be tested in a separate task, but candidates will be expected to demonstrate understanding of basic literary-critical concepts and approaches, as presented in these texts.

A. Yes. OCR will still offer this highly valued service for all customers.

A. Our Consultants are experienced, senior moderators, who can provide further guidance on any aspect of coursework, including:

  • The requirements of the AS and A2 units
  • Task setting

A. You can get in touch with your Coursework Consultant for the current OCR English Literature Specification by following this link.

A. It is rare for specifications to be amended, but in some instances changes are made to help clarify requirements. The most up-to-date versions of specifications can be accessed from the OCR website.

A. Yes. In response to centre demand, OCR will be publishing past papers for live specifications on the OCR website. These will be free of charge. Question papers from the June 2008 series will be available to download from OCR Interchange only. Further details are available from OCR Interchange.

A. OCR is working in partnership with Oxford University Press who are producing a suite of printed and electronic resources to support the OCR English specifications. For more information visit www.oup.com.

A. Schemes of work, lesson plans and candidate style answers can be downloaded from the qualifications documents page.

A. The schemes of work contain suggestions on time allocation, teaching activities and resources. The sample lesson plans provide specific ideas on delivery of a few of the topics for some unit options. Both resources are intended to offer teachers a range of practical delivery ideas that they can mould to suit their needs, and their students needs.